This Day in Pop: Britney Spears releases 'Me Against the Music' single featuring Madonna in 2003 (October 14)

[PokemonSpears]

On October 14, 2003, Britney Spears released Me Against the Music, featuring Madonna, as the lead single off her fourth studio album In the Zone. It was written by Britney, Madonna, Christopher "Tricky" Stewart, Thabiso "Tab" Nikhereanye, Penelope Magnet, Terius Nash and Gary O'Brien and produced by Trixster and Magnet.

The song was originally recorded as a solo track, but when Madonna heard it during the VMA's 03 performance, she really liked it and jumped on it:

Quote

 "I was in the middle of rehearsals for the VMAs and I played her the song, and she was like, 'That's your first single, right?' " Britney recalled. "I was like, 'Yeah, hopefully.' She was like, 'I really like it.' I was like, 'Really?' I was like, 'Well, you wanna do it with me?' She said, 'Yeah.' "

 

It went Top 5 in almost every country it charted, including 5 #1's. In the US, though it hit the #1 on the Dance Club Songs chart, it only peaked at #35 on the BBH100, marking also Madonna's 50th entry on this chart, and the first time that she appeared credited as a featured artist.

The music video was released on October 21st, but we'll celebrate that later.

 

Britney performed the song in several tv shows around the world to promote it, as well as the American Music Awards and several of her tours. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[brymo]

She really performed the hell out of that song.

[Ehju0901]

I wish they would put the single with its remixes on Spotify.  It had some great official remixes.

[agustinmalandra]

Iconic lead single  One of her bests

and whoever says otherwise lacks of talent, taste and everything. 

[Stannedforever]

Not my fave song, but I love love LOVE the promo performances she did for this song. In The Zone-era was truly amazing and it could have been her best era if it didn't end abruptly

[Emil87]

I remember forcing my ears to like this song..

it ended up working but I don’t go back to it often. Its not even in my top 5 off “In The Zone” but Britney clearly loved it and the performances were some of her best. She ate every one, but my fav was the SNL one which is rare to find. 

[car]

The single cover photo slayed me as a kid. I was in awe and she looked so different. I’d stare at it for hours lol. 
 

justice for the original MATM from the NFL performance. 
 

peak promoney tho. She was everywhere 

[pop analyst]

I hope we get soon the vegas oe promo show